Re: [A/S] Not towing with a Ranger

[William Kerfoot <wkerfoot@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joseph,

In one of your earlier posts you asked what the minimum wheelbase would 
be for a 20' Airstream.  I don't remember seeing an answer, so I will 
try to answer your question.  I tow a 1979 23' Safari, gross weight 5800 
lbs, with a 1973 Dodge W200 with a 131" wheelbase, 215" overall length, 
360 CI, now 5.9L, engine and empty weight about 5500 lbs.  I think that 
everyone on this list would agree that this is an adequate tow vehicle.

Doing some calculations on these figures results in:1) 1000 lbs trailer 
weight for each liter of engine displacement, 2) 2.1 feet of trailer for 
each foot of truck wheelbase and 3)1.3 feet of trailer for each foot of 
truck overall length.  I could not find which Ranger you have, 
conventional cab or extended, but if you have the extended cab the 
wheelbase is 126", the overall length is 203" and I don't know the 
weight.  On the 1965 20' Globetrotter the dry weight is 2980 lbs and I 
would guess gross weight of 3000 lbs.  The same calculations are 1) 750 
lbs of trailer weight for each liter of engine displacement, 2) 1.92 
feet of trailer for each foot of wheelbase and 3) 1.2 feet of trailer 
for each foot of truck overall length.  Each ratio for your 
Ranger/Globetrotter is less than my truck/trailer combination.

I think that your combination will be satisfactory, as I said on the VAC 
list you don't need a one ton, 4X4, crewcab, high output diesel to tow 
every Airstream ever made.  Although I will agree that big trucks are 
more fun.

PS: I also agree with Tuna, the Globetrotter you were looking at is very 
nice.

Bill Kerfoot
1973 Dodge W200 Powerwagon
1979 23' Safari
WBCCI #5223
Orange, CA